Welcome To The Punch is the sophomore directing effort from Eran Creevy, who made his name on micro-budgeted drug-dealer drama Shifty. Here he takes a hugely ambitious step up, aiming for a British equivalent of Heat or Hard Boiled.

The plot is kept streamlined: James McAvoy's disgruntler copper Max Lewinsky is haunted by the memory of the criminal that got away, Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong). He gets a shot at redemption when Sternwood is forced to return to the UK.

Watch our exclusive WTTP clip to see the tense scene that sets the events in motion.

We've chatted to the cast and director about the making of the slick Brit thriller, and the trailer shows off the film's electric blue tones and slo-mo gunplay.

Peter Mullan (gruff), Andrea Riseborough (tenacious) and David Morrisey (no-nonsense) round-out the impressive ensemble.

Welcome To The Punch opens in the UK on 15 March 2013. Drop your thoughts on the film into the comments box below...